posted
Hey Guys and Gals I am looking for resources on how to write a short story. I am very new to writing and am learning as I go. My reading experience is all novels, but I am reading on this forum and in so many places that to get published I should start with short stories.
Any advice on books or sites or whatever that have been helpful in writing short stories per se?
posted
That's a tough one BruceW. The best I can tell you is to find some shorter works of genre types you like to read and kind of reverse engineer the process. This is hard for me because I very rarely find a short story I enjoy reading.
In another thread earlier today someone recommended a book that's supposed to be good (may have been KDW), but I couldn't find the thread.
I've seen very few how-to's for short stories. I'll be paying attention to this thread for any advice from others. I've been working on two novel projects the last 9 months, and though between the first draft of the latest one and the first revision, I might try a couple shorter stories.
posted
I haven't read very many short stories because I usually get bored in about two pages, I don't know why. but a few I have liked and marvel at how they spin such a good story in so few words.
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posted
If good examples of short fiction in SF are what you are looking for there are several really good anthologies.
"Dangerous Visions, great but possibly dated. "Locus Awards" winning stories, many stories but in the back a listing of all the Locus winners in all catagories from the beginning to the present. Now that's a reading list.
posted
I've used the article "Conquering the Short Story" by D.M. Bonanno to creat a template for myself. It provides a great method for short story planning. Whenever I get an idea for a short story I try to work through these questions. Its been very helpful to me, hopefully you'll have the same positive experieince. The article can be found at:
I got this from the index for the on-line writers zine Vision. There are tons of other great writing advice articles at the zine and its index, including some on short stories.
posted
I agree with "read a lot of short stories." If you haven't, you'll probably be more comfortable trying novel length.
For suggestions---start with the print magazines, dig up a few anthologies of classics and award winners, look for single-writer collections---and start reading. Chances are, you already know a few names---if you've read a novel by a writer you've liked, there might be a collection out there somewhere, particularly the older writers.
On being bored two pages in---wouldn't that happen reading novels, too?
The three keys to writing short stories is the same as for writing anything else.
1) Read novels, and shortstories, if that's what you want to write. Especially read inthe genres you want to write. 2) Write as often as you can. 3) Read everything you can get your eyeballs on regarding the writing craft. There are plenty of helpful writing books out there and tons of free articles on line, including on OSC's site and atthe Vision site referenced above just to name two.
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